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Phillies: Who’re the odd-men out of the starting rotation?

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: Pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 10-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: Pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 10-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 25: Starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

The Phillies will have some major decisions to make regarding the future of their starting rotation this offseason

After reportedly having free agent Patrick Corbin at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday the Phillies are signaling their intent on adding a reliable pitcher to their starting rotation along with Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta.

Philadelphia has a motley of starting pitching depth at the top of their organization behind Arrieta and Nola. Last year they started 10 pitchers and return nine to the 40-man roster, Ben Lively being the lone exception. Along with Arrieta and Nola the Phillies have Zach Eflin, Nick Pivetta, Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Enyel De Los Santos, Ranger Suarez, and Drew Anderson.

It’s likely the Phillies start De Los Santos, Suarez, and Anderson, all members of their top-30 prospect list, in the minors next year. Anderson is a potential bullpen candidate after making four relief appearances last year and not being as highly-regarded around baseball compared to Suarez and De Los Santos.

That leaves Eflin, Pivetta, Eickhoff, and Velasquez battling for two spots, assuming the Phillies acquire just one starting pitcher this offseason.

Each of those four players has had tremendous highs and lows since joining the Phillies, as well as injury concerns. Can any of those players step up and be a reliable number four or five starter going forward, or will the become trade bait this offseason?

Here’s how fans voted when we asked which pitcher should be a lock to make the rotation.

Here are cases for each of those four guys to either make the rotation or be shopped this offseason.

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